It was a Saturday afternoon in Delhi when I found myself juggling between two mid-size SUVs that dominate urban showrooms today—the Kia Seltos and the MG Hector. I’d just wrapped up back-to-back test drives, switching from Seltos’ snug cockpit to Hector’s plush, wide-cabin experience. But something lingered beyond the usual ride quality or torque output—tech.
In 2025, buying an SUV isn’t just about boot space or mileage anymore. It’s about which car connects better with your daily life—seamless infotainment, smart connectivity, ADAS features, and user-friendly interfaces. In this in-depth breakdown, I’ll compare the Kia Seltos and MG Hector purely from a tech and value-for-money lens—something brochures often fail to show, but real-world drivers crave.
What I Loved in Each—Real-World Tech Highlights
Both SUVs pack serious tech muscle, but here’s what stood out during real drives:
✅ Kia Seltos (2024 Facelift):
- 12.3-inch curved infotainment + digital cluster felt genuinely premium. Transition animations were butter-smooth, even in bright daylight.
- ADAS Level 2 suite—especially lane keep assist—worked surprisingly well even in unpredictable Delhi traffic. The haptic feedback on steering caught my attention during a brief highway cruise.
- The Bose 8-speaker system offered richer bass and clarity than expected for this price band.
✅ MG Hector (2024 BS6 Phase II):
- The 14-inch portrait touchscreen feels like a literal tablet mounted in your car. While a bit overkill in size, the interface was intuitive, especially for maps and entertainment.
- Voice commands with Hinglish support were shockingly accurate—I asked, “AC on karo,” and it just worked.
- Over-the-air updates meant the UI felt fresh and adaptable. MG seems to treat its cars like evolving tech gadgets.
The sense of premium connectivity was real in both, but the Hector feels like a more tech-forward lounge, while the Seltos feels like a driver-focused cockpit.
What I Didn’t Like—Honest Tech Flaws
No car is perfect—and here’s where both stumbled during my experience:
❌ Seltos:
- While ADAS is refined, the forward collision warning felt slightly overcautious—it beeped in slow-moving traffic even when no danger was near.
- The touch sensitivity of the climate control panel isn’t as responsive, especially with sweaty hands during peak summer.
❌ Hector:
- That massive vertical screen? It lags occasionally. Not badly, but switching between maps and music felt choppy when the car was in motion.
- 360-degree camera resolution could’ve been better—the clarity isn’t on par with what the Seltos offers.
Deep Dive—Which SUV Wins the Tech Race in India?
Now let’s peel back the layers—feature vs. feature, value vs. usability, and tech vs. practicality.
Infotainment & UX:
| Feature | Kia Seltos | MG Hector |
|---|---|---|
| Screen Size | 12.3-inch (curved) | 14-inch (portrait) |
| Interface | Sleek, driver-oriented | Feature-rich, tablet UI |
| Response Time | Faster | Slight lag |
| Sound System | Bose 8-speaker | Infinity system |
| Apple CarPlay/Android | Wireless, seamless | Wired (no wireless yet) |
🔍 Verdict: Seltos wins for responsiveness and wireless connectivity. Hector wins on sheer size and boldness.
ADAS & Driver Aids:
Both offer Level 2 ADAS, but Kia’s implementation feels slightly more polished. Lane centering, adaptive cruise, and rear cross traffic alert were less intrusive than MG’s setup, which occasionally felt too cautious.
🔋 Tech-Driven Convenience:
- MG gives you connected car features via i-SMART, with more remote functions than Kia’s UVO Connect.
- Kia wins with remote engine start via smartwatch, which I personally tested using my Galaxy Watch5—it worked like a charm from 150 meters away.
Indian Driving Reality:
In Delhi’s mixed driving conditions, MG’s massive screen became harder to operate on the move, requiring more attention—not ideal in stop-and-go traffic. The Seltos, with its ergonomic button integration alongside touch, felt safer and faster to use.
Specs & Tech Highlights
📊 Tech & Feature Comparison Table
| Specification | Kia Seltos (GTX+) | MG Hector (Sharp Pro) |
|---|---|---|
| Infotainment Screen | 12.3″ HD curved unit | 14″ portrait touchscreen |
| ADAS Level | Level 2 (ADAS+) | Level 2 |
| Wireless CarPlay/AA | Yes | No |
| Sound System | Bose 8-speaker | Infinity 8-speaker |
| Instrument Cluster | Digital 10.25-inch | Digital |
| 360 Camera | High clarity, smoother | Usable, but lower resolution |
| OTA Updates | Limited | Frequent OTA enabled |
| Voice Commands | Basic | Hinglish support + extensive |
💰 Price Comparison (Ex-showroom, Delhi)
- Kia Seltos GTX+ DCT: ₹19.65 lakh
- MG Hector Sharp Pro CVT: ₹20.25 lakh
🔒 Safety
- Both get 6 airbags, ESP, traction control
- Seltos has higher GNCAP crash rating (as of 2024)
Final Verdict
After spending hours with both SUVs—togglinghrough features, crawling through traffic, and pushing buttons—Ian confidently say:
✔️ Buy the Kia Seltos if you want a tech-forward car that feels responsive, premium, and easy to use every day. It’s more than a pretty face—it’s practical, polished, and smartly integrated for the Indian lifestyle.
✔️ Buy the MG Hector if your idea of value includes flashy, lounge-like interiors, extensive remote features, and a commanding road presence. It’s the tech enthusiast’s playground—just be ready to compromise on some UX speed.
❌ Avoid both if you’re not big on infotainment or connected tech. If pure driving thrill or rugged performance is your goal, these aren’t for you.
From my journalist’s lens, the Seltos feels like a better tech-value buy in 2025—subtle but substantial.
